How China’s Mammoth 3,000‑Seat Congress Works

The largest legislative body in the world

(By 澳门特别行政区立法会 / Assembleia Legislativa da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau / Legislative Assembly of the Macau Special Administrative Region — Modified by Supreme Dragon, originally created an .svg file based on .png image File:National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China.png. Originally uploaded by Avala to English Wikipedia. and also see 国徽方格墨线图., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59997216)

China is the second largest country in the world in terms of population, so perhaps it is fitting that it has the largest legislative body. The National People’s Congress contains a whopping 2,977 members, and it is the “highest organ of state power of the People’s Republic of China.” The idea of getting nearly 3,000 politicians in a room to do anything sounds like a nightmare, so how does the world’s largest legislative body actually work?

Unlike in many Western democracies, the members of the National People’s Congress do not work full time. Members are elected to five year terms, but they receive no pay and no perks. This massive body only convenes for two weeks per year, typically in the spring. Despite its short session, the National People’s Congress is technically responsible for amending the constitution, voting on legislation, and nominating members for special committees.

Since China is a one-party system and since the National People’s Congress is a unicameral legislature, the body operates under the control and eye of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). There are some token and symbolic parties that are allowed to hold seats within the legislature, but the vast majority are card-carrying CCP members.